Davao City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southern Philippines, and it’s easy to see why. Everything you want in a city is here, from serene nature spots to a developed urban area with creature comforts within your reach.
Adding to Davao City’s favorable reputation is its safety. It is Southeast Asia’s second safest city,[1] so you can comfortably explore everything it has to offer.
If you’re planning a tropical vacation in this city, check out this ultimate Davao travel guide!
A worry-free tropical vacation starts with getting travel insurance. Get a policy to financially protect yourself from travel-related uncertainties and inconveniences, from lost baggage and trip cancellations to personal injuries and third-party incidents.
Compare your options and apply via Moneymax:
Located in Mindanao’s Davao Region, Davao City serves as the island’s central hub of commerce and trade. It measures more than 2,400 square kilometers, making it the largest city in the Philippines in terms of land area.[2]
Just like the rest of the Philippines, the city enjoys a tropical climate. So what’s the best time to visit Davao?
If you want to enjoy the hot sunshine and the cool beach waters, late March to May makes a good choice. June to October is usually rainy, and you may not be able to explore as much. But if you want to enjoy the Kadayawan Festival, visit in August.
Fly to the city between December and February to enjoy cool temperatures and dry days.
Read more: Religion, Culture, and Heritage: Festivals in the Philippines
Major airlines like Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia operate direct flights to Davao. The travel time from Manila to Davao City takes around two hours.
Alternatively, you can travel by sea via 2GO. The company operates a Manila-Davao City trip, which takes almost two days.
But if you want to save money, ride a bus from the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) bound for Davao City. Two bus companies operate this route: Davao Metro Shuttle and Philtranco. The journey usually takes three days and two nights.
Davao City has a few transportation options that will make it a breeze to get around. Check out the following:
Related: Things to Do in Boracay in 2024: Top Activities on the Island
That will depend on your activities and the number of days you’ll be staying here. If you plan to stay for at least five days, a budget of ₱12,500 to ₱15,000 should suffice. If you’re a wise spender, this can also cover pasalubong.
Note that this budget assumes your flights are already booked and you’re traveling with someone.
A credit card makes every vacation convenient and hassle-free. Use it to book your flights, hotel, and activities. While doing so, you can earn rewards such as points, miles, and rebates.
Compare your credit card options and apply via Moneymax:
Davao City has a lot of places you can call home away from home. Here are some of them:
Check out the following accommodations if you’re on a budget:
Got some money to spare? Upgrade your vacation by staying at one of these accommodations:
Excited to make your Davao itinerary? Here are the best places to visit in the city:
This Davao travel guide won’t be complete without Mount Apo, the country’s highest mountain. This is one of the best destinations for thrill-seekers and seasoned mountain climbers.
The mountain is part of the Mount Apo National Park, a natural reserve that boasts towering trees and hundreds of animal species. There are also lakes in Mount Apo. Lake Venado is a particularly popular campsite or pitstop among mountaineers.
Formally known as the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCOS), Samal is part of Davao Del Norte. But its proximity to Davao City makes it a good destination.
Composed of Samal Island and Talikud Island, this city boasts long stretches of pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. Among the most popular places here are The Pearl Farm Resort, Starfish Sandbar, Babu Santa Beach Resort, and Dayang Beach Resort, among others.
What to do in Davao City if you’re a big chocolate lover? Head over to Malagos Garden Resort.
This sustainable resort offers not only luxurious and relaxing stays. Its 12-hectare estate also houses a bird-feeding dome, a birdwatching deck, ponds, and a contemporary art gallery. More importantly, Malagos Garden Resort has a chocolate museum where you can appreciate the process of chocolate making, from tree to bar.
Eden Nature Park and Resort is one of the most popular Davao tourist attractions, thanks to its high elevation and cool breeze. This is a great spot if you want to escape from the heat and humidity of the city.
Measuring more than 70 hectares, Eden Nature Park and Resort offers guests both relaxing spaces and exhilarating activities. If you want to commune with nature, simply walk around to enjoy the trees or admire the colorful blooms in the flower garden. Adventure seekers can try some of the park’s activities, such as ziplining and cable cycling.
Love people-watching? The Davao People’s Park is one of the best places to do it.
This four-hectare public park features a mini forest, fish ponds, a playground, and man-made falls.[3] If your hotel is close to this park, you can do some stretching and jogging here in the morning or afternoon. You and your travel buddies can also enjoy a picnic here while watching the locals go about their day.
Where to go in Davao City if you’re into nature conservation? Book a tour at the Philippine Eagle Center, the only breeding and rehabilitation facility of the Philippine Eagle in the world.[4] Here, you can witness the national bird fly and catch prey.
However, the Philippine Eagle Center is not only home to the critically endangered bird. It also houses a mini rainforest where you can walk and relax. Plus, it has a monkey island where you can watch the Philippine Long-Tailed Macaques minding their business.
Read more: 12 Famous and Underrated Tourist Destinations in the Philippines
One of the best Davao City attractions for wildlife lovers, the Davao Crocodile Park boasts a modern crocodile farming system. But it offers more than just public viewing of crocodiles.
The Davao Crocodile Park is also home to various animal species like snakes, monkeys, raptors, and turtles. With that, the park is a popular venue for educational and wildlife conservation tours.
Dubbed as the only Chinatown in Mindanao, Davao Chinatown is an exciting place to visit in the city. While here, get a snap or two of its many recognizable archways.
At the Davao Chinatown, you’ll find many businesses, from stores selling groceries to shops retailing goods from China. Include Chinese restaurants within the large neighborhood as part of your food crawl.
Located in Shrine Hills in Matina, Jack’s Ridge was once the haven of retreating Japanese soldiers as World War II drew to a close. But now, it’s a popular destination for those who want to relax.
Since it’s located atop a hill, Jack’s Ridge gives you a panoramic view of Davao City. It also has a variety of restaurants where you can dine and enjoy the urban vista. Among the most visited is Taklobo Restaurant, which serves kinilaw, sinigang, grilled tuna, and other Pinoy dishes.
Visiting the Roxas Night Market is one of the most fun activities in Davao. It’s a must-visit place for grilled meat and seafood lovers. After dining, wash down your fill with fresh juice, milk tea, or fruit cuts.
The Roxas Night Market is also a great shopping destination. Various stalls sell items like souvenirs, clothes, toys, and more!
With the city’s expanse of interesting places, you’ll have a lot of activities to enjoy. Here are some of them:
Read more: Beaches, Parks, and More: Outdoor Activities for ₱3,000 or Less
Take note of the following for a more memorable and comfortable Davao trip:
Read more:
With Davao City’s massive land area, you have a lot of places to visit, activities to enjoy, and people to meet. A few days may not be enough, so consider extending your stay. Who knows—you may want to stick around in one of the places listed in this Davao travel guide!
Sources: